In 2018, a Missouri private equity fund manager purchased over 600 acres of wilderness in southern Carroll County on the Kings River Watershed for a million dollars. He split the parcels into Limited Liability Companies, prospected the land for minerals, alarming residents and drawing attention of state and county officials. The manager this winter suddenly decided to sell off the land, which was placed under conservation easement deeds with outlier land trusts, re-appraised, then offered on the

John Brummett, a political writer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette , discusses winners and losers as the impeachment trial winds down. He also talks with Roby Brock, from our partner Talk Business and Politics , about the possibility of a change in Medicaid funding.

President Trump is expanding travel restrictions to the U.S. to seven more nations, according to a White House statement issued on Friday. Emily Crane Linn, executive director of Canopy Northwest Arkansas, says the expanded travel restrictions will indirectly affect resettled U.S. refugee families here.

After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, the city debated whether to continue with Mardi Gras celebrations or cancel the parades. They chose to proceed and since 2006, a number of new Mardi Gras practices have gained prominence. Six unique, offbeat, downtown celebrations are examined in a new University Press of Mississippi book called Downtown Mardi Gras: New Carnival Practices in Post-Katrina New Orleans .

Two of the smallest words — "I" and "me" — can create big confusion. Our Militant Grammarian, Katherine Shurlds, is here to help.

The Fayetteville School District is asking voters to approve a bond restructuring that would go toward maintenance and construction projects. The approval would not raise the 45.65 millage rate. Early voting on the issue begins Feb. 4 and the special election is Feb. 11.

On March 3, the City of Bella Vista will ask voters to approve a 1 percent sales tax increase to fund bonds that will be used to construct a new public safety facility, replacement fire station and fire training complex. The city is holding informational meetings this week to answer residents' questions about the bond issue.

A seminar hosted by the University of Arkansas Honors College next fall will be centered around the history of bad medicine. We asked Tricia Starks, who will lead the seminar, about the class. She will also give a public preview lecture Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 5:15 p.m. in Gearhart Hall Auditorium on the U of A campus.

Becca Martin-Brown, the features editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette , says February might be the shortest month of the year, but it is packed with plenty to do. She gives us a rundown of some of the events sponsored by local nonprofits.

Last month, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge staff traveled to Florida to rescue two white tigers from a park where they were forced to participate in cub-petting and swim-with-the-tigers attractions. Luna and Remington are now in their own habitat getting accustomed to the Ozarks.